McNally in Oz 2005 - Part two

[ozover50]

It was a warm, humid Friday evening and as I drove across the Westgate bridge to Yarravile I was wondering if the Searchers would be as enjoyable as they were some 25 years ago.

Parking was easy at the Yarraville Club and I immediately thought 'Oh no - two men and a dog!'. The sound of poker machines met our ears immediately upon entering, as did Johnny B Goode played by a duo with backing tracks in the main lounge.

We were directed to the function room, where our tickets were waiting for us and a nice surprise - the room was full - everybody must have walked or come in a cab. It was a dinner/show ($50) or show only ($30) affair and there were 250 plus seated at tables. The room is quite large, with high ceiling, a large stage and a good-sized dance floor. We sat down with a drink and I winced as the boys came onto stage to Richard Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra - something original would have been nice.

Frank did an intro, stressing that what we were about to hear was 'live' music - hmmmm....... A few gags failed to get much response from the audience, so off they went.

Sugar and Spice and Sweets for My Sweet were up first and were well done - the patrons started to warm up. First Class' Beach Baby was next, followed by Needles and Pins. Frank talked a lot about their favourite songs and the history of the group between numbers (probably to give the boys a rest) and this was most interesting. They slowed it down with What Have They Done To The Rain and Goodbye My Love and the harmonies in these were brilliant! Spencer was in awesome form (indeed they all were) and the operator had the mike setup and mix spot on!

Unfortunately they absolutely murdered Love Potion Number Nine, which is one of my all-time favourite songs. It was mushy and lacked the tight, biting rhythm guitar that is a feature of the song. The first half finished with an excellent 10 minute rendition of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's Young Girl - fantastic! Frank made sure the audience were involved by throwing to them regularly.

After a half hour break the boys came back with Don't Throw Your Love Away, an extremely extended version of Take Me For What I'm Worth and a rendition of Del Shannon's Runaway that got the audience on to the dance floor and yelling for more - the number went for about 15 minutes! Have You Ever Loved Somebody was next, followed by Someday We're Gonna Love Again.

At long last it came - When You Walk In The Room. A 10 minute slice of heaven standing up at the front letting the awesome sound of John's 620/12 blasting out of a cranked up Roland JC120 wash over me - bliss!! Frank continued to throw to the audience at the appropriate times - 'e-ver-y time that you' da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da 'walk in the room'! Generous applause brought the lads back on stage and they did You'll Never Walk Alone like it was meant to be done - gently increasing in intensity all the way through to the last 'a-a-lone'. Again the 620/12 chimed like a bell. Even Gerry Marsden would have liked that one!!

A few numbers weren't played that I would have liked to have heard - Farmer John, Bumble Bee, and especially Western Union would have been great.

After the show the boys signed just about everything in sight and were very generous with their time and were happy to have as many photos taken as you liked. I asked John about the Rolands (Spencer used one also) and he told me that they are their amps of choice. If they can't get hold of those when they're touring they use Fender Twins.

Thanks to Frank, John, Spencer, Eddie (who was fantastic!) and the crew for a great night of nostalgia and the memories of the classic British Invasion era!

The Yarravile Club has a Bee Gees tribute band appearing in Early April as well as the Drifters later in the same month. Might have to check them both out - at $25 it should be good value!

Cheers

[ozover50]

Now - some more shots....

The boys light up......



John tunes up......



The offending instruments (the Tele sounded pretty good, too).........



Asleep during the interval.........



Yup, there was some dancin' goin' on.........



A chat and a quiet beer afterwards.........



Cheers

[sowhat]

Great Howard, you must have had a really cool night! (and the price would be quite affordable even for we mean Russians... uff...). Great night and great report. And cool pictures.
PS: i cannot imagine "Runaway" goin' on for 15 minutes... that must be something really special...
PPS: i could've never imagined good boy Spencer drinkin' beer...

[ozover50]

Yes, It was a great night, Sheena. 'Runaway' did indeed run away. Every time they finished it the audience applauded and yelled until they started up again - about 200 people on the dance floor helped!!

Spencer was drinking Fosters Light (yeccchhh!) which is about half strength (2.5%) - I wasn't - none of that unleaded stuff for me!!

Thanks for the comments - much appreciated.

Cheers.......... Howard